Set-Top Box, System and Method for Providing Awareness in a Hospitality Environment

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing awareness in a hospitality environment are presented. In one embodiment, a vertical and horizontal array of set-top boxes is provided and each set-top box includes an identification corresponding to the room in which the set-top box is placed. Each set-top box includes a wireless transceiver that periodically transmits an identification beacon that is received by a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device. The proximate wireless-enabled interactive device, in turn, broadcasts data packets including an indication of the strength of set-top box identification signals received. The broadcasts are received by a server via an array of wireless routers. The location of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device is determined based on the signal strength information in the data packets.

PRIORITY STATEMENT & CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No.61/935,862 entitled “System and Method for Providing Awareness in aHospitality Environment” and filed on Jan. 5, 2014 in the name ofVanessa Ogle; which is hereby incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to remote control devices and, inparticular, to set-top/back boxes as well as systems and methods forproviding awareness in a hospitality environment, such as a lodgingestablishment, motel, or hotel, for example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the background willbe described in relation to employee safety in hospitality environments,as an example. Employees face increased personal security risks at workin hospitality environments, such as lodging establishments, motels, andhotels, for example. Such hospitality industry employees often workalone and range over large interior areas that may be divided into manysmall, closed spaces. As a result of limited existing security measures,there is a need for improved systems and methods of providing awarenessand safety in hospitality environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve awareness in hospitalityenvironments that would decrease personal security risks to workers. Itwould also be desirable to enable a wireless-based solution that wouldmitigate or eliminate the cost of providing increased security inlodging establishments, such as a motel, or hotel, for example. Moregenerally, it would be desirable to enable such a solution for anymulti-unit environment including hospitality environments, educationalcampuses, hospital campuses, office buildings, multi-unit dwellings,sport facilities and shopping malls, whether a single story, multiplestories, or a combination thereof. To better address one or more ofthese concerns, systems and methods, including a set-top box, aredisclosed for providing awareness in hospitality environments. In oneembodiment of the system, a vertical and horizontal array of set-topboxes is provided and each set-top box includes an identificationcorresponding to the room in which the set-top box is placed. Eachset-top box includes a wireless transceiver that periodically transmitsan identification beacon that is received by a proximatewireless-enabled interactive device. The proximate wireless-enabledinteractive device, in turn, broadcasts data packets including anindication of the strength of set-top box identification signalsreceived. The broadcasts are received by a server via an array ofwireless routers. The location of the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive device is determined based on the signal strengthinformation in the data packets. These and other aspects of theinvention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to theembodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1A is schematic building diagram depicting one embodiment of asystem for providing awareness in a hospitality environment illustratedas a hotel, according to the teachings presented herein;

FIG. 1B is a schematic floor plan depicting a floor of the hotelpresented in FIG. 1A in further detail;

FIG. 1C is a schematic floor plan depicting a floor of the hotelpresented in FIG. 1A in further detail, wherein an event requiring analert is occurring;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram depicting one embodiment of thesignal flow in the system presented in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram depicting one embodiment of aset-top box and one embodiment of a programmable device, both componentsof the system presented in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram depicting one embodiment of a beaconand another embodiment of a programmable device, both components of thesystem presented in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram depicting one embodiment of aserver, a component of the system presented in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6A is a signal flow diagram depicting one embodiment ofsignalization and data transfer within the system presented in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6B is state diagram depicting one embodiment of the states of thesystem presented in FIG. 1A; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method forproviding awareness in a hospitality environment according to theteachings presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1A and 1B, therein is depicted a system forproviding awareness in a hospitality environment, such as a furnishedmulti-family residence, dormitory, lodging establishment, hotel,hospital, or other multi-unit environment which is schematicallyillustrated and designated 10. More generally, the system 10 and theteachings presented herein are applicable to any multi-unit environmentincluding hospitality environments, educational campuses, hospitalcampuses, office buildings, multi-unit dwellings, sport facilities andshopping malls.

As shown, by way of example and not by way of limitation, thehospitality environment is depicted as a hotel having a lobby and floorsF, which are appropriately labeled the 2^(nd) floor through the 10^(th)floor. Further, by way of example, the 4^(th) floor is depicted withrooms 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416,and 417. Additionally, a common area near the elevators is labeled E, ahallway labeled P, and a stairwell is labeled S.

Set-top boxes 12 are communicatively disposed with various amenitiesassociated with the hospitality environment, which as mentioned isdepicted as the hotel H. As used herein, set-top boxes include backboxes and set-top/back boxes may be discussed as set-top boxes. By wayof example, each set-top box 12 may be a set-top unit that is aninformation appliance device that generally contains a TV-tuner inputconnected to an external source of content and a television outputconnected to a television set. The set-top box tunes the source signalinto content in a form that can then be displayed on the televisionscreen or other display device. Such set-top boxes are used in cabletelevision, satellite television, and over-the-air television systems,as well as other uses, such as, an informational appliance coupled tovarious hospitality suites of service provided by the hotel H,including, for example, check in/check out, maid service, spa, roomservice, and front desk. As shown, each room includes a set-top box 12.The set-top boxes are deployed as part of a horizontal and verticalarray, which is generally a spatial array, throughout the hotel H. Itshould be appreciated, however, that the set-top boxes and moregenerally deployment of the system may include a horizontal array.Further, the deployment may be in a single story, multiple stories, or acombination thereof.

Each of the set-top boxes 12 emits a beacon, which is illustrated asfield B, for identifying itself to detecting programmable devices, aswill be discussed hereinbelow. In the aforementioned common areas,including the elevators E, the hallway P, and stairwell S, beacondevices 16 are depicted that emit fields B for identifying themselves tothe programmable devices also. Wireless routers 14 are deployed as partof a horizontal and vertical array, or more generally a spatial array,throughout the hotel H to send and receive information. As shown, thewireless routers 14 are WiFi enabled. It should be appreciated howeverthat the wireless routers 14 may communicate via infrared (IR), 802.11,3G, 4G, Edge, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), or Bluetooth andBluetooth low energy, for example.

The set-top boxes 12 and beacon devices 16, which are collectivelybeacons, periodically transmit beacons to the programmable devices, suchas wireless-enabled programmable device 18, being utilized by individualI₁. The programmable device 18 may be a wireless-enabled smart andinteractive handheld device that may be supplied or carried by the useror guest and may be selected from a range of existing devices, such as,for example iPads®, iPhones®, iPod Touch®, Android® devices, Blackberry®devices, and laptops. In another implementation, the programmable device18 may be a special purpose device, including a battery powered personallocator device. As shown individual I₁ works in the hospitality industryat hotel H and is presently working on the 4^(th) floor. As theindividual I₁ is working in room 404, the programmable device 18 isreceiving beacons from the set-top box 12 that is located within theroom 404. Additionally, the programmable device 18 is receiving beaconsfrom the set-top box 12 that is located within the room 406.

Referring now to FIGS. 1C and 2, the individual I₁ having theprogrammable device 18, which is receiving beacons from the set-top box12 located within the room 404 and the set-top box 12 located within theroom 406, perceives danger and requires assistance and help. Theindividual I₁ activates the programmable device 18, which sends a datapacket that, via the wireless routers 14 and the network 22,communicates with a server 24. The server 24, in turn, sends out theappropriate notifications to various phones 26, to activate alarms 28,or notify others via a computer, such as computer 30. As a spatial arrayof horizontal and vertical set-top boxes 12 and beacon devices areprovided, the system presented herein is able to determine the locationof the individual I₁ within a building. The location informationdetermined includes which floor the individual I₁ is presently locatedas well as the room or common area.

In another mode of operation, the individual I₂ is located on the 3^(rd)floor of the hotel H. This individual is within the field of severalbeacons, including set-top boxes and common area beacon devices. Thewireless-enabled interactive device associated with the individual I₂periodically broadcasts a data packet to the server 24, via the wirelessrouters 14 and the network 20. The location of this individual is knownand the individual I₂ publishes the location so that others may contactthis individual or find this individual. Similarly, the location of theindividual I₃ is known to be on the 6^(th) floor of the hotel H. Theindividual uses associated wireless-enabled interactive device to reportservice requests to the management of the hotel H.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the set-top box 12 and programmable device 18are illustrated in further detail. With regard to the set top box 12, ahousing 50 includes a wireless transceiver 52 associated therewith,internally, externally or via combination thereof, in order tocommunicate with the programmable device 18, which, as discussed, mayhave the form of a proximate wireless-enabled electronic device orinteractive handheld device, or battery powered transmitter, forexample. Communication between the programmable device 18 and theset-top box 12 may be enabled by a variety of wireless methodologies,including 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications(NFC), Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared(IR) may be utilized. If direct communication is not possible,communication between the interactive device and the set top box may bemade through indirect communication protocols. For example, a proxyservice may be used to route messaging to the interactive device by wayof the Internet or 802.11 communication.

A television input 54 and a television output 56 are also secured in thehousing 50 in order to receive content from a source in a multi-unitenvironment and forward content to a television. A processor 58 locatedwithin the housing 50 is coupled to the wireless transceiver 52 and thetelevision input 54 and the television output 56 by a bus 60 or otherarchitecture. A memory 62 and storage are accessible to the processor 58and the memory 62 includes processor-executable instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to execute a series of operations. Otherinputs 66 and outputs 68 may be associated with the set-top box 12 aswell.

The processor-executable instructions periodically transmit anidentification signal including set-top box identification that may bereceived by a proximate wireless-enabled interactive handheld device. Aspreviously discussed, the programmable device 18 may include anapplication, which assists in the receiving, or alternatively a NFCprotocol may be utilized to facilitate the receiving of theidentification. In many embodiments of the beacon methodology, physicalproximity between the programmable device 18 and the set-top box 12 isleveraged to establish signaling therebetween.

The programmable device 18 may be a wireless communication device of thetype including various fixed, mobile, and/or portable devices. To expandrather the limit the previous discussion of the programmable device 18,such devices may include, but are not limited to, cellular or mobiletelephones, two-way radios, personal digital assistants, digital musicplayers, Global Position System units, and so forth. The programmabledevice 18 may include a transmitter/receiver 72, processor 74, bus 76,display 78, I/O panel 80, a camera 82, memory 84, and storage 86. Itshould be appreciated that although a particular architecture isexplained, other designs and layouts are within the teachings presentedherein.

In operation, the teachings presented herein permit a programmabledevice 18 such as a smart phone or simple transmitter to communicatewith a set-top box that is able to relay an alert with location to amain server and security or other individuals needing to know about theemergency. In the operation embodiment being described, the programmabledevice 18 may be “paired” on a temporary basis to the set top/back boxon a room-by-room basis, whereby the pairing changes as the hospitalityemployees location changes, thereby changing the strongest receivedsignal.

As shown, the programmable device 18 includes the memory 84 accessibleto the processor 74 and the memory 84 includes processor-executableinstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive set-topbox identification beacon signals and measure the strength of theidentification beacon signals. The programmable device 18 thenperiodically transmits a broadcast signal including a data packet havingat least one set-top box identification, a corresponding signal strengthidentification indicating the strength of the set-top box identificationbeacon signal, and a proximate wireless-enabled interactive deviceidentification.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a beacon 16 and a simplified programmabledevice 18 are shown. With respect to the beacon 16, a housing 90protects a transmitter/receiver 92, outputs 94, inputs 96, processor 98,bus 100, memory 102 and storage 104. The memory 102 is accessible to theprocessor 98, and the memory 102 includes processor-executableinstructions that, when executed, cause the processor 98 to periodicallytransmit, via the transmitter/receiver 92, an identification beaconsignal including beacon device identification.

With respect to the simplified programmable device 18, a housing 110protects a transmitter/receiver 112, processor 114, bus 116, memory 118and storage 120. A button 122 provides the activation that triggers thealert. As shown, the programmable device 18 includes the memory 118accessible to the processor 114 and the memory 118 includesprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to receive set-top box identification beacon signals andmeasure the strength of the identification beacon signals. Theprogrammable device 18 then periodically transmits a broadcast signalincluding a data packet having at least one set-top box identification,a corresponding signal strength identification indicating the strengthof the set-top box identification beacon signal, and a proximatewireless-enabled interactive device identification. Responsive to theactivation of the emergency button, the programmable device 18immediately transmits a broadcast signal including a data packet havingat least one set-top box identification, a corresponding signal strengthidentification indicating the strength of the set-top box identificationbeacon signal, a proximate wireless-enabled interactive deviceidentification, and an emergency alert.

Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of the server 24 as a computingdevice includes a processor 130, memory 132, storage 134, inputs 136,and outputs 138 interconnected with various buses 140 in a common ordistributed, for example, mounting architecture. In otherimplementations, in the computing device, multiple processors and/ormultiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memoriesand types of memory. Further still, in other implementations, multiplecomputing devices may be provided and operations distributedtherebetween. The processor 130 may process instructions for executionwithin the server 24, including instructions stored in the memory 132 orin storage 134. The memory 132 stores information within the computingdevice. In one implementation, the memory 132 is a volatile memory unitor units. In another implementation, the memory 132 is a non-volatilememory unit or units. Storage 134 includes capacity that is capable ofproviding mass storage for the server 24. Various inputs 136 and outputs138 provide connections to and from the server 24, wherein the inputs136 are the signals or data received by the server 24, and the outputs138 are the signals or data sent from the server 24.

The memory 132 is accessible to the processor and 130 and includesprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 130 to execute a series of operations. Theprocessor-executable instructions receive the data packet from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive device and process the datapacket to determine the set-top box/beacon device or, more generally,beacon identification of strongest signal strength and the proximatewireless-enabled interactive device identification. Based on thisanalysis, the instructions determine the location of the proximatewireless-enabled interactive device as being proximate to the set-to boxor beacon device of strongest signal strength. Depending on theconfiguration of the wireless-enabled interactive device, theprocessor-executable instructions update a database with the locationand timestamp of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device.Further, the processor-executable instructions may transmit a servicerequest relative to the wireless-enabled interactive device, publish thelocation of the wireless-enabled interactive device, or execute anemergency alert or alarm.

FIG. 6A illustrates one embodiment of signalization and data transfer150. As shown, set-top boxes 1 through n respectively transfer datapacket 152 including beacon identification 154 and data packet 156including beacon identification 156. The data packets 152, 156 arereceived by an interactive handheld device, which determines the signalstrength of each received data packet 152, 156. The interactive handhelddevice then establishes data packet 160, including device indicator 162,mode of operation indicator 164, beacon identifications 154, 158, andrespective signal strength identification 166, 168.

Once the data packet 160 is broadcast, it is received by a wirelessrouter which relays the data packet 160 as data packet 170 that isreceived by a server. The server analyzes the data packet and determinesthat the interactive handheld device is proximate to the set-top box 1as the signal strength associated with received data packet of set-topbox 1 is strongest. The server then sends out signal 172, which includesthe device identification 162, the location as represented by a set-topbox and the mode of operation for appropriate action.

FIG. 6B depicts one embodiment of a state diagram 180 of the states ofthe system 10, which include an alert mode of operation 182, a servicerequest mode of operation 184, and a tracking/non-tracking update modeof operation 186. As will be appreciated, the modes of operation mayoverlap or, to a partial or full extent be combined. In the alert modeof operation 182, a user of a wireless-enabled interactive device maysend an alert to indicate distress. In the service request mode ofoperation, the user may send a service along with the locationinformation. The tracking/non-tracking update mode indicates the levelof privacy the user expects and how much of the location history will besaved.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a method 190 for providing awareness ina hospitality environment, according to the teachings presented herein.At block 192, the array of set-top boxes and common area beacons isdeployed vertically and horizontally throughout the hospitalityenvironment. At block 194, beacon signals are periodically transmittedfrom the set-top boxes and common area beacons to be received by thewireless-enabled interactive devices.

At block 196, the signal strength between the beacon transmission of theset-top boxes and the common area beacons at the wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device is measured. At block 198, thewireless-enabled interactive programmable device broadcasts datapackets, including the beacon identifications and associated signalstrengths. At block 200, via the wireless routers, the server receivesand processes the data packets. At decision block 202, the server takesaction based on the mode of operation. In a first mode of operation atblock 204, a service request is associated with the location of the userutilizing the location of the wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice as a proxy. In a second mode of operation at block 206, anemergency alert is sent and subsequent notification (block 210) occurs.The emergency alert includes an indication of distress and the locationof the user utilizing the location of the wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device as a proxy. In a third mode of operation at block210, the map of individuals is updated with the location of the userwith, if privacy settings being enabled, the system maintains theprivacy of the individual working in the hospitality environment suchthat the system only retains in memory the last known position and timeof the user-supplied wireless-enabled smart and interactive handhelddevice. Further, in this mode of operation, the system does not revealthe location of the individual and programmable device unless and untilan alert is issued.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flowsillustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwisespecified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may beperformed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methodsmay include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. Forexample, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particularelement before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are allpossible sequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing awareness in anenvironment, the system comprising: an environment selected from thegroup of multi-unit hospitality environments, educational campuses,hospital campuses, and office buildings; a spatial array of set-topboxes, each set-top box being associated with a room in the environment,each set-top box having an identification including a room identifier;each set-top box of the spatial array including: a housing; a wirelesstransceiver associated with the housing, the wireless transceiverconfigured to send a beacon to communicate with a proximatewireless-enabled interactive handheld device; a television input and atelevision output secured in the housing, the television input and thetelevision output configured to respectively receive content from asource in the hospitality environment and forward content to atelevision; a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and thetelevision input and the television output; a memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that,when executed, cause the processor to: periodically transmit anidentification beacon signal including set-top box identification; adata packet associated with the proximate wireless-enabled interactivedevice, the data packet including at least one set-top boxidentification, a corresponding signal strength identificationindicating the strength of the set-top box identification beacon signal,and a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device identification; aspatial array of wireless routers disposed in the environment, eachwireless router configured to receive the data packet from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive device and forward the data packet; and aserver located within the hospitality environment and in communicationwith the vertical and horizontal array of wireless routers, the serverincluding: a processor; and a memory accessible to the processor, thememory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed,cause the processor to: receive the data packet from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive device; process the data packet todetermine the set-top box identification of strongest signal strengthand the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device identification;and determine the location of the proximate wireless-enabled interactivedevice as being proximate to the set-to box of strongest signalstrength.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wirelesstransceiver is configured to communicate with a standard selected fromthe group consisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi,ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth and Bluetooth lowenergy.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wirelessrouters are configured to communicate with a standard selected from thegroup consisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee,near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth and Bluetooth low energy. 4.The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximate wireless-enabledprogrammable device further comprises a user-supplied wireless-enabledsmart and interactive handheld device.
 5. The system as recited in claim1, wherein the proximate wireless-enabled programmable device furthercomprises a single button personal locator device.
 6. The system asrecited claim 1, wherein the system further comprises an operationalmode selected from the group consisting of alerts-enabled, servicerequest-enabled, tracking-enabled, and non-tracking-enabled.
 7. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the spatial array of set-top boxesfurther comprises a plurality of common space beacon devices, eachcommon space beacon device having an identification including a commonspace.
 8. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein each of the commonspace beacon devices further comprises: a processor coupled to awireless transceiver; and a memory accessible to the processor, thememory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed,cause the processor to: periodically transmit an identification beaconsignal including beacon device identification.
 9. The system as recitedin claim 1, wherein the spatial array of set-top boxes comprises avertical and horizontal array of set-top boxes.
 10. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the spatial array of set-top boxes comprisesa horizontal array of set-top boxes.
 11. A system for providingawareness in an environment, the system comprising: an environmentselected from the group of multi-unit dwellings, sports facilities, andshopping malls; a spatial array of set-top boxes, each set-top box beingassociated with a room in the environment, each set-top box having anidentification including a room identifier; each set-top box of thespatial array including: a housing; a wireless transceiver associatedwith the housing, the wireless transceiver configured to send a beaconto communicate with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive handhelddevice; a television input and a television output secured in thehousing, the television input and the television output configured torespectively receive content from a source in the hospitalityenvironment and forward content to a television; a processor coupled tothe wireless transceiver and the television input and the televisionoutput; a memory accessible to the processor, the memory includingprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to: periodically transmit an identification beacon signalincluding set-top box identification; a data packet associated with theproximate wireless-enabled interactive device, the data packet includingat least one set-top box identification, a corresponding signal strengthidentification indicating the strength of the set-top box identificationbeacon signal, and a proximate wireless-enabled interactive deviceidentification; a spatial array of wireless routers disposed in theenvironment, each wireless router configured to receive the data packetfrom the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device and forward thedata packet; and a server located within the hospitality environment andin communication with the vertical and horizontal array of wirelessrouters, the server including: a processor; and a memory accessible tothe processor, the memory including processor-executable instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processor to: receive the data packetfrom the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device; process the datapacket to determine the set-top box identification of strongest signalstrength and the proximate wireless-enabled interactive deviceidentification; and determine the location of the proximatewireless-enabled interactive device as being proximate to the set-to boxof strongest signal strength.
 12. The system as recited in claim 11,wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to communicate with astandard selected from the group consisting of infrared (IR), 802.11,3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetoothand Bluetooth low energy.
 13. The system as recited in claim 11, whereinthe wireless routers are configured to communicate with a standardselected from the group consisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G,Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth andBluetooth low energy.
 14. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein theproximate wireless-enabled programmable device further comprises auser-supplied wireless-enabled smart and interactive handheld device.15. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the proximatewireless-enabled programmable device further comprises a single buttonpersonal locator device.
 16. The system as recited claim 11, wherein thesystem further comprises an operational mode selected from the groupconsisting of alerts-enabled, service request-enabled, tracking-enabled,and non-tracking-enabled.
 17. The system as recited in claim 11, whereinthe spatial array of set-top boxes further comprises a plurality ofcommon space beacon devices, each common space beacon device having anidentification including a common space.
 18. The system as recited inclaim 17, wherein each of the common space beacon devices furthercomprises: a processor coupled to a wireless transceiver; and a memoryaccessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executableinstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: periodicallytransmit an identification beacon signal including beacon deviceidentification.
 19. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein thespatial array of set-top boxes comprises a vertical and horizontal arrayof set-top boxes.
 20. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein thespatial array of set-top boxes comprises a horizontal array of set-topboxes.